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Background and Objectives: Neurological disorders like stroke, spinal cord injury (SCI), and Parkinson's disease (PD) significantly affect global health, requiring accurate diagnosis and long-term neurorehabilitation. Artificial intelligence (AI), such as machine learning (ML), may enhance early diagnosis, personalize treatment, and optimize rehabilitation through predictive analytics, robotic systems, and brain-computer interfaces, improving outcomes for patients. This systematic review examines how AI and ML systems influence diagnosis and treatment in neurorehabilitation among neurological disorders. Materials and Methods: Studies were identified from an online search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases with a search time range from 2014 to 2024. This review has been registered on Open OSF (n) EH9PT. Results: Recent advancements in AI and ML are revolutionizing motor rehabilitation and diagnosis for conditions like stroke, SCI, and PD, offering new opportunities for personalized care and improved outcomes. These technologies enhance clinical assessments, therapy personalization, and remote monitoring, providing more precise interventions and better long-term management. Conclusions: AI is revolutionizing neurorehabilitation, offering personalized, data-driven treatments that enhance recovery in neurological disorders. Future efforts should focus on large-scale validation, ethical considerations, and expanding access to advanced, home-based care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising prevalence of mental illness is straining global mental health systems, particularly affecting older adults who often face deteriorating physical health and decreased autonomy and quality of life. Early detection and targeted rehabilitation are crucial in mitigating these challenges. Mindfulness acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) holds promise for enhancing motivation and well-being among the elderly, although delivering such psychological interventions is hindered by limited access to services, prompting exploration of remote delivery options like mobile applications. In this paper, we introduce the BrainHeart App (v.1.1.8), a mobile application tailored to improve physical and mental well-being in seniors. The app features a 10-day ACT program and other sections promoting healthy lifestyle. In a pilot study involving twenty participants, individuals engaged in daily mental exercises for 10 days using the app. Clinical evaluations, including assessments of psychological flexibility, overall cognitive profile, mindfulness disposition, cognitive fusion, and heart rate collected with Polar H10, were conducted at baseline (T0) and one month post-intervention (T1). Analysis revealed significant improvements in almost all neuropsychological scores, with high usability reported (system usability scale average score: 82.3 ± 9.31). Additionally, a negative correlation was found between usability and experiential avoidance (r = −0.51; p = 0.026), and a notable difference in heart rate was observed between baseline and post-intervention (F-value = 3.06; p-value = 0.09). These findings suggest that mindfulness-ACT exercises delivered via the BrainHeart App can enhance the well-being of elderly individuals, highlighting the potential of remote interventions in addressing mental health needs in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of degenerative dementia, whose symptoms usually appear in the pre-senile age. In the early stages, patients present social difficulties due to the general cognitive decline in memory, language and executive domains. These problems also affect patients' quality of life, emotions, and mood, leading to social isolation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Alzheimer's Cafè (AC) on the cognitive and behavioral outcomes of AD patients. Twenty patients diagnosed with AD, who attended the Cognitive and Behavioral Rehabilitation Laboratory of the IRCCS Centro Neurolesi 'Bonino-Pulejo' of Messina, Italy, from December 2017 to December 2018, were enrolled in this study. As these patients belonged to the experimental group (EG: n = 20), they received specific cognitive-behavior training using the AC modality. The patients were assessed by a neuropsychological evaluation at the beginning and at the end of the program. Their outcomes were compared to a matched group of patients with neurodegenerative dementia (CG: 20) receiving conventional cognitive training. The pre-post comparisons showed that both CG and EG had a significant improvement in global cognitive functioning (MoCA p < 0.001) and in perceived quality of life (<0.001). However, only in the EG, we observed a significant increase in social functioning (SASS p < 0.00), the perception of mental well-being (SF-12 Mental p < 0.00), and a reduction in the depressive state (GDS p < 0.00). The present study suggests the importance of AC for patients with AD and the potential effect on psychological and social well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, innovative interactive technologies, such as virtual reality, have emerged as a valuable approach in the rehabilitation of aphasia. Indeed, they offer the opportunity to practice activities that are not or cannot be usually carried out within the clinical environment, and that are aimed at increasing cognitive and motor domains. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and the long-term effects of the BTS-Nirvana, a rehabilitative device that uses semi-immersive virtual reality in the treatment of chronic post-stroke aphasia. Thirty patients with non-fluent aphasia due to first ever ischemic stroke (mean ± SD age: 51.2 ± 11.3 years) were enrolled in this study and randomized into either a control group (n = 15) undergoing conventional speech and cognitive training or an experimental group (n = 15) receiving the same amount of training using BTS-Nirvana. The "Esame Neuropsicologico per l'Afasia" (ENPA) subtests (repetition, reading, naming, writing, and calculation) and the Token test were the main outcome measures. After the training (T1), the experimental group achieved a greater improvement in Token test, reading, naming, and calculation than the control group. Notably, these positive outcomes were maintained at the 6-month follow-up (T2). These results support previous findings that virtual reality can be considered a useful complementary treatment to potentiate functional recovery of speech ability in patients affected by post-stroke aphasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embodied cognition (EC) refers to the interplay occurring in thinking among individual's sensorimotor capacities (i.e., the ability of the body to respond to its senses with movement), the body itself, and the environment. The aim of the present narrative review is to provide an overall understanding of whether and how motor training could lead to language recovery, consistently with EC theories (action-perception cycle, mirror neuron systems –MNS–, and embodied semantics). We therefore reviewed the works dealing with EC in terms of the link between language processing, mirror neuron system (MNS), and motor function, evaluating the potential clinical implications for better managing neurological deficits. Connections between body and mind were found, as body states influence cognitive functions, such as perception and reasoning, as well as language processing, especially in neurological disorders. In fact, abnormalities in "embodied language" were found in movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, negatively affecting patients' rehabilitation outcomes. Understanding the link between language processing and motor outcomes is fundamental in the rehabilitation field, given that EC can be targeted to improve patients' functional recovery and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home automation (HA) is either a "smart" house or a supportive environment, which enables the patients to regain an active role in daily life. HA could allow people affected by Parkinson Disease (PD) to better manage their daily lives. This study aims to evaluate the effects of domotics on quality of life, and personal/social autonomy in PD patients. We enrolled 40 with PD undergoing neurorehabilitation, who were randomized into either the control (CG) or the experimental group (EG). Two different rehabilitative approaches were used: the CG was submitted to a traditional training, whilst the EG underwent HA training, in which the activities were carried out through the use of assistive technologies. In both the training, the exercises were performed in small samples of 3–5 patients. Results showed that both CG and EG had a significant improvement in global cognitive functioning, executive functions, and instrumental autonomy. However, only in the EG, we observed a significant increase in social adaptation, activities of daily living and quality of life. This pilot study suggests that HA training could be a useful tool for the rehabilitation of patients with PD, improving social and cognitive functioning, personal autonomy and quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context • Stress and chronic pain are the factors that most influence the quality of life and well-being of people with MS, and 90% of adults with MS suffer from persistent fatigue. These symptoms can be associated with other disorders such as depression, and drug treatments provide inadequate comfort for most people with them. Objective • The study intended to examine the impact of hypnosis and hypnotherapy in the management of symptoms of people with multiple sclerosis (MS), such as stress, chronic pain, an inferior quality of life, and a lack of psychological well-being. Design • The research team performed a systematic narrative review by searching the PubMed and Web of Science databases, including review articles and other studies for additional citations. Setting • The study was conducted at our Scientific Institute for Research (IRCCS) in Messina. Results • Only 14 of 121 publications met the inclusion criteria and were selected. Hypnotic treatment is an effective therapy that has beneficial impacts on the intensity of perceived pain, psychological well-being, mood disorders, and fatigue, and in addition, it significantly improves physical functioning in MS patients. The same effects haven’t been obtained with other nonpharmacological techniques. Conclusion • Hypnosis is an appropriate psychological therapy for the management of MS patients’ symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]